Harriet and the Roller Coaster (Nancy Carlson's Neighborhood)

t Carolrhoda Books, Inc. / Minneapolis

Text and illustrations copyright ©1982 by Nancy Carlson, © 2003 by Nancy Carlson All rights reserved. International copyright secured. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise—without the prior written permission of Carolrhoda Books, Inc., except for the inclusion of brief quotations in an acknowledged review. This book is available in two editions: Library binding by Carolrhoda Books, Inc., a division of Lerner Publishing Group Soft cover by First Avenue Editions, an imprint of Lerner Publishing Group 241 First Avenue North Minneapolis, MN 55401 U.S.A. Website address: www.lernerbooks.com Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Carlson, Nancy L. Harriet and the roller coaster / by Nancy Carlson p. cm.

Summary: Harriet accepts her friend George’s challenge to ride the

frightening roller coaster and finds out that she is the brave one.

eISBN: 1–57505–675–5

[1. Dogs—Fiction. 2. Rabbits—Fiction. 3. Courage—Fiction. 4. Roller coasters—Fiction.] I. Title.

PZ7.C21665 Hap 2003

[E]—dc21 2002013922

Manufactured in the United States of America 1 2 3 4 5 6 – JR – 08 07 06 05 04 03

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On the last day of school, Harriet’s whole class was going to the amusement park. Everyone looked forward to the day.

“I’m going to ride on the big roller coaster,” George told Harriet. “It’s so big, you can’t see the top. I know. My big sister told me.”

“It goes so fast that if you don’t hold on, you’ll fall right out.”

“I bet you’re too scared to ride the roller coaster. You’d probably start crying.”

“I am not scared,” said Harriet. “I’ll ride on your old roller coaster. You just wait and see.”

That night Harriet didn’t sleep very well.

The next morning, when it was time to get on the bus for the amusement park, she felt a little sick. “See you on the roller coaster,” said George. “If you don’t chicken out.”

As soon as they got to the amusement park, George said, “Come on, Harriet. Let’s get our tickets for the roller coaster. Unless you’re too scared.”

“I am not scared,” said Harriet.

“Good,” said George. “Then hurry up.”

“Oh, boy,” said George.

“I can’t wait!”

“We’re next.”

“There’s still time for you to chicken out.”

“Here we go. Harriet, you’re going to be sooooo scared.”

The roller coaster went up and up. Harriet had never been so high.

“This is great,” said George.

Then they were over the top.

“Hey!” said Harriet. “This isn’t so bad.” “Ooof!” said George.

“I like it!” said Harriet. “Help!” said George.

“Yippee!” yelled Harriet.

“Mommy!” yelled George.

“Is it over already?” said Harriet.

“I’m going again. That was fun!”

“I’d better sit down,” said George.

So Harriet rode the roller coaster all day long . . .

. . . while George sat quietly on a bench.